German beer enjoys widespread popularity across the continent, and in the UK, too. With lockdown restrictions in Europe soon to be a thing of the past, it’s likely that those of us who appreciate what the country has to offer will be looking to make up for lost time. Oktoberfest in 2022 is an opportunity to make up for lost time, and to reacquaint ourselves with exactly what we’ve been missing.
When is Oktoberfest?
The 187th annual Oktoberfest kicks off with the traditional tapping on the Theresienwiese on September 17th. It’s going to run right up to the 3rd of October. Despite the festival’s name, it’s mostly taking place in September. The original Oktoberfest in 1810 took place mostly in October, but it’s since been shifted forward so as to give punters the best possible chance of enjoying warm weather during the outdoor festivities.
Will Oktoberfest be allowed to happen this year?
Oktoberfest was called off in 2020, and in 2021, too. The decision to cancel was made in April and May respectively. So, all being well, we should get confirmation of whether the festival is going to be allowed to proceed in May. If it gets to June and the announcement hasn’t been made, it’ll cause disruption for breweries, punters and hosts – since the gears need to start moving in July if everything’s going to be ready for September.
What are Some of the most Popular German Beers at the Festival?
If you’re going to be spending time in Germany for the festival, then you’ll want to sample a few different beers. Hefeweizen is a wheat-based Bavarian beer that’s light and approachable, coming from the oldest brewery in the world. Spaten Oktoberfest is another contender, typically brewed in March especially for the festival. If you’d prefer something a little cleaner and more herbaceous, you might instead consider Radeberger Pils, which is a high-quality, hoppy beer.
What is the most Popular Style of Beer?
So, which beer sits at the very top of the pile? It’s undoubtedly the classic Pilsner, whose reputation is such that you could be forgiven for assuming that it’s the only variety of German beer available. They tend to put the hoppy notes front and centre in Germany, which is how you distinguish a German pilsner from one that’s brewed further east. If you’re planning on attending Oktoberfest, then the chances are that you’ll be sampling plenty of Pilsners!
